A New Standard of Excellence for Consumer Packaged Goods
In an industry where over 30,000 new products fight for shelf space annually, standing out has never been more challenging—or more critical. Today, Food & Beverage Magazine proudly announces the launch of the 2025 CPG Awards, a premier competition set to recognize and celebrate excellence in shelf-stable consumer packaged goods from around the world.
The CPG Awards represent more than just another industry competition; they're a powerful platform designed to identify and elevate truly exceptional products in an increasingly crowded marketplace. With registration now open at www.cpgawards.com, brands of all sizes have a unique opportunity to showcase their innovations directly to the industry's most influential buyers and decision-makers.
Why the CPG Market Needs This Now
The consumer packaged goods landscape has undergone seismic shifts in recent years. Post-pandemic consumer behavior, sustainability concerns, health-consciousness, and technological innovation have all contributed to radical changes in what shoppers expect from their everyday products. According to recent industry research, 64% of consumers now actively seek products with clean labels, while 72% prioritize sustainability in their purchasing decisions.
"It is astounding how many emerging consumer packaged goods are brought to market each year—more than 30,000 new products are introduced annually," notes Michael S. Politz, publisher and founder of Food & Beverage Magazine. "In a marketplace this crowded, winning a CPG Award is more than just a medal—it's a powerful endorsement that can open doors to retailers nationwide and give buyers the confidence they need to put your brand on their shelves."
The timing couldn't be better. As retailers become increasingly selective about new product placements and consumers grow more discerning in their choices, brands need credible third-party validation more than ever.
A Unique Judging Approach: Actual Buyers Evaluating Your Products
What truly sets the CPG Awards apart is its all-buyer judging panel—a distinction that transforms the competition from a simple recognition program into a genuine business opportunity.
"I'm thrilled to announce that our new CPG Awards will follow the esteemed tradition of our PR%F Awards-spirits, wine and beverage competitions by featuring an all-buyer judging program," explains Michele Tell, founder of The Original Brand and executive director of CPG Awards. "This means that not only do brands have the opportunity to win trophies judged by qualified buyers, but those very buyers are actively seeking new products and key CPGs to place on their shelves. It's a unique platform where recognition and real business opportunities go hand in hand."
The panel will include high-level decision-makers from major retailers, distributors, and foodservice operations across the United States. This approach creates a rare dual opportunity: the chance to win prestigious industry recognition while simultaneously putting your product directly in front of potential buyers.
Who Should Enter: Categories and Criteria
The 2025 CPG Awards welcomes entries from all domestic and international shelf-stable food service and consumer packaged goods. This includes products packaged in bags, boxes, cans, pouches, plastics, containers, or bottles.
Products will be evaluated based on a comprehensive set of criteria including:
- Taste and sensory experience
- Value proposition and price point
- Ease of preparation and convenience
- Health benefits and nutritional profile
- Overall usability and consumer appeal
- Packaging innovation and sustainability
- Brand story and market positioning
One of the most distinctive features of the CPG Awards is its dedication to recognizing specialized nutritional categories that often don't receive adequate attention in traditional competitions.
"We offer dedicated award categories for brands that feature Low-Sodium, Fat-Free, Sugar-Free, Allergen-Free, Flavored, Gluten-Free, Sweetened, No Sugar Added, Non-GMO, Vegan, Vegetarian, and other nutritional highlights," says Tell. "This focus allows brands with unique dietary and health-forward attributes to stand out and gain recognition for their innovation and commitment to consumer well-being."
Dual Recognition: Product Excellence and Packaging Innovation
In an industry where first impressions often determine whether a product makes it into a shopping cart, packaging design plays a crucial role in a brand's success. Recognizing this reality, the CPG Awards offers participants the opportunity to win recognition in two distinct categories: product quality and packaging design.
"As the designer of the Bluetooth logo—one of the most recognizable symbols in today's CPG tech landscape—I've seen firsthand how iconic branding can cut through the noise and create lasting impact," explains Politz. "The CPG Awards are designed to do just that for breakthrough products and innovators across the industry."
The Creative Packaging Award will evaluate elements such as:
- Visual appeal and shelf presence
- Functionality and user experience
- Innovation in materials and form
- Sustainability considerations
- Brand storytelling and communication
- Marketing materials and point-of-sale support
This dual-focus approach acknowledges that today's most successful CPG brands excel not just in what's inside the package, but in how they present themselves to consumers in increasingly competitive retail environments.
The Tangible Benefits of Winning
Winners of the 2025 CPG Awards will receive far more than just recognition—they'll gain access to a comprehensive suite of benefits designed to translate their achievement into real business growth:
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The CPG Awards Shopping Cart Trophy: A distinctive physical award that symbolizes retail excellence and consumer appeal.
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Massive Media Exposure: All winners will be featured in Food & Beverage Magazine, reaching over 15 million monthly readers, and highlighted in a special winner's edition CPG Awards issue.
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Digital Marketing Assets: Winners receive digital badges and assets to use across their marketing channels, websites, packaging, and trade show materials.
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Buyer Connections: Direct exposure to the judging panel of industry buyers, potentially leading to new retail and distribution opportunities.
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PR Opportunities: Winners will be included in press releases and media outreach to industry publications, enhancing brand visibility.
For emerging brands especially, these benefits can represent a significant advantage in the struggle to gain market traction and retail placement. Even for established companies, the awards provide valuable third-party validation that can support new product launches or expansion into additional markets.
Key Dates and How to Enter
The competition timeline is designed to accommodate the needs of both small and large manufacturers. All entry submissions and payment must be received by the posted deadline at www.cpgawards.com.
Important requirements to note:
- All food product expiration dates must exceed the event date
- Nutritional and certification documentation must be included with each entry
- Complete product shipping and delivery instructions are provided upon registration
The registration process has been streamlined to be as simple and straightforward as possible, with clear guidelines for submission requirements and deadlines. Early registration is strongly encouraged, as space in certain categories may be limited.
A Legacy of Industry Recognition
While the CPG Awards represent a new initiative, they build upon Food & Beverage Magazine's established track record of creating meaningful industry recognition programs. The publication's previous competitions have helped numerous brands achieve breakthrough success and significant market expansion.
"Having witnessed countless products struggle to gain traction despite excellent quality, we recognized the need for a focused platform that specifically addresses the unique challenges of shelf-stable CPG products," Politz explains. "The CPG Awards fill that gap by offering not just recognition, but genuine market opportunity."
Seize the Opportunity: Register Today
For brands looking to differentiate themselves in an increasingly competitive marketplace, the 2025 CPG Awards represent a unique opportunity to gain industry recognition, buyer attention, and consumer credibility.
"Whether you're an established CPG powerhouse or an innovative startup disrupting traditional categories, we encourage you to showcase your products to our distinguished panel of industry buyers," says Tell. "The exposure and validation that comes with a CPG Award can be transformative for brands at any stage."
Registration is now open at www.cpgawards.com. For additional information, contact Michele Tell at 702-682-2583 or Michele@cpgawards.com.
Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine's "Top 40 Under 40" for founding American Wholesale Floral. Politz is also the founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.
